Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer Claudette Pious
Energetic, charming, captivating are just three of the adjectives we could use to describe Claudette Pious.
A well-known theatre icon, Ms. Pious has the ability to make people laugh even without saying a word. A popular face in theatre and television, Ms. Pious is endeared to Jamaicans as 'Miss Likkle'. In 2005, she received the Gleaner Honour Award not only for being a stalwart performer, but also for her philanthropic dedication in educating and counselling children through entertainment.
Her passion for dramatic arts started while attending Manchester High School. In 1979 she became the recipient of Tastee's first scholarship to the School of Drama.
Ms. Pious' first play was Secret Lovers with Glen Campbell, in the early 1990s. Finding a niche in comedy, she and a group of budding comedians formed Jamaica's first Komedy Klub, in 1992. Founding members include Dorothy Cunningham, Pat Cumber, Carlene Mattis, and Calvin Campbell.
Ms. Pious tends to play dramatic roles but she notes that her "real" love is "stand-up comedy". Her acting skills landed her on a series of television commercials, including the Lasco series of advertisements, solidifying her local popularity. In fact, it was from these Lasco ads that she took her alias, 'Miss Likkle.'
Ms. Pious teaches drama at various institutions, including Camperdown High, Kingston College and Wolmer's. In June 17, 1997, she founded Children First, a non-profit organisation that rescues street and at-risk children and enables them to make positive contributions to society. Since 1997, Children First has expanded its objectives and now operates a high school.
Appointment
In 1998, Pious received the Press Association of Jamaica Award for excellence in community development. She has also been appointed to the board of directors of the National Juvenile Advisory Committee, elected to the board of governors of the National Initiative for Street Children, and appointed as a non-governmental organisation representative on two UNICEF committees. She also represented Jamaica at an international Child Rights Conferences in Turin, Italy, and at a child advocacy conference in Grenada. Currently, she is completing her Ph.D. in social work at the University of Cambridge. She is also working asa consultant with the, Ministry of National Security using cultural approaches to sensitise individuals on HIV and AIDS and related issues.
Contributed
Deon Hemmings
Seeing her standing on the podium, tears flowing down her cheeks, the Jamaican flag travelling up the pole to the tune of the Jamaican National Anthem was enough to bring Jamaicans all over the world to tears.
It was the summer Olympics in Atlanta in 1996 and Jamaicans received a gift they had long been waiting for. It was delivered by one phenomenal Jamaican woman: Deon Hemmings. The powerfully built Manchester girl had outclassed a field which included the favourite, American Kim Batten, to win the 400 metres hurdles. The time? An Olympic record of 52.82 seconds!
It was not only Jamaica's first gold medal performance but also the first time in 20 years that an individual medal of that quality was being returned to the country. Four years later in (2000), Ms. Hemmings set out to repeat her victory, but had to settle for silver as she was beaten by Russia's Irina Privalova. Her victorious feat in 1996 has not been repeated by a Jamaican woman. Ms. Hemmings is one phenomenal athlete and woman.
The powerfully built Manchester girl had outclassed a field which included the favourite, American Kim Batten, to win the 400 metres hurdles.
Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
Dr Carmen E Bowen Wright
Hers is a story of passion - a passion for health and a healthy nation. In the 1970s Dr. Carmen Bowen Wright led a team from the Ministry of Health in the reorganisation of primary health care and community halth services in Jamaica. Taken for granted today, the team revolutionised health care outside of hospitals.
The reorganisation within the sector led to increased levels of immunisation and the nutritional status of infants, children and pregnant mothers. The key was the accessibility of these services: health centres were built no more than ten miles from any major community. Jamaica's model was instrumental in the World Health Organisation's Declaration of Alma-Ata on September 12, 1978. The declaration expressed "the need for urgent action by all governments, all health and development workers, and the world community to protect and promote the health of all the people of the world." For her work in the area of primary health care, Dr. Bowen Wright has received local and international recognition.
Still active
Although retired from public service, she is active in her field as a preventative medicine specialist, and also serves on the Jamaica Menopause Society. For many years she has reached a direct audience through her regular column in The Gleaner on lifestyle issues with a special focus on seniors.
She is also active in her church where she focuses on issues facing seniors.
A fashion icon, Dr. Bowen Wright always displays that working hard and giving invaluable contributions in her field do not preclude a woman from being glamorous and perfectly groomed.
